Higher termites of the subfamily Macrotermitinae (fungus-growing termites) are known to build fungus gardens where a symbiotic fungus (Termitomyces sp.) is cultivated. The fungus grows on a substrate called fungus comb, a structure built with the termites’ own faeces. Here we present the first fossil fungus combs ever found in the world. They were extracted from 7-million-year-old continental sandstone (Chad basin). Fossilized fungus combs have an ovoid morphology with a more or less flattened concave base and a characteristic general alveolar aspect. Under lens, they display a typical millimetre-scale pelletal structure. The latter, as well as the general shape and alveolar aspect, are similar to the morphology of fungus combs from extant fungus-growing termites. 相似文献
Goal, Scope and Background Atmospheric sampling (gas and particles) of 5 phenols (phenol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, pentachlorophenol) and 15 nitrophenols
(3-methyl-2-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 4-methyl-2-nitrophenol, 5-methyl-2-nitrophenol, 2-methyl-3nitrophenol, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol,
2,6-dinitrophenol, bromoxynil, 2,5-dinitrophenol, 2,6-dinitro-p-cresol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, ioxynil, DNOC, 3,4-dinitrophenol,
dinoseb) on XAD-2 resin (20 gr) and glass fibre filters, respectively, were performed in 2002 by using 'Digitel DA80' high
volume samplers. These measurements were undertaken in order to show spatial and geographical variations of concentrations
and the role of traffic in the emissions of these compounds to the atmosphere.
Methods Sampling were performed in Strasbourg (eastern France), in its vicinity (Schiltigheim) and in Erstein. Sites were chosen
to be representative of urban (Strasbourg), suburban (Schiltigheim) and rural (Erstein) conditions. Field campaigns were undertaken
simultaneously in urban and suburban sites during all the seasons during 4 hours at a flow rate of 60 m3.h-1, which gives
a total of 240 m3 of air per sample. Period of sampling varied between 06h00 to 10h00, 11h00 to 15h00 and 18h00 to 22h00 in
order to evaluate a variation of concentration during automobile traffic between urban, suburban and rural areas. Gas and
particle samples were separately Soxhlet extracted for 12 h with a mixture of CH2Cl2 / n-hexane (50:50 v/v), concentrated
to about 1 mL with a rotary evaporated and finally dried under nitrogen. Dry extracts were dissolved in 1 mL of CH3CN. Before
analysis, extracts were sylilated by using MTBSTFA. Analysis was performed by GC/MSD in the SIM mode.
Results and Discussion Partitioning of phenolic compounds between gas and particle phases seems to be mainly correlated with vapour pressure. Among
phenolic compounds analysed, phenol, p-cresol, pentachlorophenol and 2.4-dinitrophenol were detected in all samples and emissions
from traffic seems to be the major source for the presence of these compounds to the atmosphere. No increase of concentrations
in autumn tend to confirm this hypothesis since, with the use of domestic heating in colder months, increases of PAHs concentrations
were observed and these compounds are known to be emitted by all combustion processes.
Pentachlorophenol is a special case since this molecule is only used as wood preservative. Its presence in all atmospheric
samples, whatever the locations and the period of time is the consequence of its persistence.
Conclusions and Perspectives These measurements demonstrate that phenols and nitrophenols are emitted to the atmosphere and further measurements, in order
to confirm their sources, their behaviour and their potential impact to the air quality and to human health should be undertaken
especially since the literature collected is relatively old. Concentrations of pentachlorophenol measured are very low and,
due to its toxicity, further investigations should be undertaken.
- * The basis of this peer-reviewed paper is a presentation at the 9th FECS Conference on 'Chemistry and Environment', 29 August
to 1 September 2004, Bordeaux, France. 相似文献
The Ouémé River is one of the most important rivers in the Republic of Bénin. It is 510 km long and its catchment drains 75% of the country. In this study, organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide residues were measured in more than 35 sediment samples collected on nine locations along the Ouémé River from upstream to downstream. Except for one location, Tanéka-Koko, all areas were contaminated by more than 20 pesticides. Organochlorine pesticides identified in sediment samples included pp'-DDE, op'-DDD, pp'-DDD, op'-DDT, pp'-DDT, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, telodrin, isodrin, cis- and trans-heptachlorepoxide, hexachlorbutadiene, hexachlorobenzene and octachlorostyrene. The organophosphorous pesticide chlorpyrifos, used in a new formulation to protect cotton, was also identified. In some areas, the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in the sediment of the Ouémé River exceeded environmental quality standards and are reason for concern. 相似文献
In the Republic of Bénin, aquatic ecosystems are subject to poisoning risks due to the inappropriate use of pesticides, such as washing of empty bottles in rivers and using pesticides to catch fish. In some areas, cotton fields are located near riverbanks, increasing the probability of pesticide emission to the river. To assess contamination levels in the Ouémé River catchment area, different fish species were collected from different geographical areas along the river. DDT, its metabolites and isomers were the most frequently identified pesticides in fish flesh, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, dieldrin, telodrin, lindane and octachlorostyrene were also detected. Concentrations of pesticide residues in fish ranged from 0 to 1364 ng/g lipid. A preliminary risk assessment indicated that the daily intake of chlorinated pesticides by people consuming fish from the Ouémé River still is rather low and does not present an immediate risk. 相似文献
Global pollution by plastics derived from petroleum has fostered the development of carbon–neutral, biodegradable bioplastics synthesized from renewable resources such as modern biomass, yet knowledge on the impact of bioplastics on ecosystems is limited. Here we review the polylactic acid plastic with focus on synthesis, biodegradability tuning, environmental conversion to microplastics, and impact on microbes, algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton, annelids, mollusk and fish. Polylactic acid is a low weight semi-crystalline bioplastic used in agriculture, medicine, packaging and textile. Polylactic acid is one of the most widely used biopolymers, accounting for 33% of all bioplastics produced in 2021. Although biodegradable in vivo, polylactic acid is not completely degradable under natural environmental conditions, notably under aquatic conditions. Polylactic acid disintegrates into microplastics faster than petroleum-based plastics and may pose severe threats to the exposed biota.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In order to estimate the resuspension of the particles empirically, it is necessary to carry out a homogeneous distribution of the particles on the... 相似文献